First Edition printed in 2013 Printed in Australia Copyright © 2013 Larraine Henning & Waxcastle Workshop Feel free to copy and distribute this book but keep in mind the livelihood of the author who depends on its sales. When copying please respect the integrity of the content and design. And it would be sweet if you could let her know, who, how and why you are copying and/ or distributing. If you wish to contact the author, do so at [email protected]. She likes to receive comments and is open to creative collaborations, bartering and exchanges. a practical guide to squatting by larraine henning A record of this book is held at the National Library of Australia 2 ISBN 978-0-646-90431-3 3 Author : Larraine henning Illustrations + Design : Larraine Henning Production Manager : Julia Klassen Assistant Editor : Margo Reimer Creative Consultant : Isaac Klassen Logistics Manager: Leigh Graham Legal Consultant : Harold Henning Deputy of Morale: Bonnie Bess McCoy Produced by : Waxcastle Workshop Printed by: Inky’s Digital/Offset Print & Design 2/101 Newmarket Road, Windsor, QLD, 4030 Inside pages: 100gsm Sun Offset (Quality woodfree paper) FSC Certified (Responsible Forestry Practices) Cover Stock: 250gsm Envirocare 100% recycled (Natural Warm recycled paper) 75% PCW (Process Chlorine Free) and 25% pre consumer waste recycled fibre. Fonts : Penelope Anne + Little Miss Priss designed by Vanessa Bays - http://bythebutterfly.com/ f i r s t e d i t i on More information on squatting is readily available online In the UK www.squashcampaign.org www.squatter.org.uk www.redpepper.org.uk/squatting-for-beginners www.gov.uk/squatting-law/overview 6 disclaimer In the Netherlands http://ksuoost.squat.net/ http://docs.china-europa-forum.net/doc_969.pdf http://www.krakenpost.nl/ http://valreep.wordpress.com/ The content of this book may allude to illicit activity. The author in no way takes any responsibility for illegal actions that may result from consulting this book. The book is not intended to provide sound legal advice, and readers should consult a lawyer regarding local laws and regulations with regards to squatting, trespassing and possession of property. In Australia www.activistrightssydney.org http://melbournecio.org/ http://shac.squat.net/index.html www.australianmuseumofsquatting.org www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/guides/tenants_rights_manual/other_tenants/squatters.html http://designforchangemelbourne.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/no-frills-melbourne-squatters-guide.html In Canada www.straightdope.com www.homelessnation.org/node/5231 http://en.squat.net/tag/canada/ www.centresocialautogere.org/sites/default/files/upload/PCAPsquattersGuideFINALJune2003.pdf In the USA http://shwagr.com/ http://shwagr.com/posts/a-squatters-50-state-guide-to-stealing-property-by-adverse-possession www.homesnotjailssf.org/wb/pages/home.php http://www.o4onyc.org/ In France http://www.jeudi-noir.org/ Everywhere http://en.squat.net/ http://squattheplanet.com/ http://trafo.eyca.org/articles/squatting-in-europeb-know-the-rules/ 7 instructions 1. look for clues that the building is vacant (property overgrown, letterbox full, windows boarded, power is off, check electricity meter) 2. to be certain ask postman, shop owner or neighbour (think up a lie about why you are asking, ie research / student) 16 3. try to choose a building that will not need too much repair work 4. identify who owns the building and what their plans are for it (consult the land registry office to see if there are any development applications) 5. if possible negotiate with the owner to stay 6. getting the media and community on your side will help (see ch. 14) SCOUTING A VACANT BUILDING 17 a. d. b. c. instructions e. f. 1. best to do during the day (less suspicious) 2. dress in work uniform or business suit (also less suspicious) 22 i. 3. select simplest and less conspicuous point of entry 4. make as little noise as possible h. 5. break as little as possible (will help later when/if police become involved) g. l. k. j. forceless break-in entry kit { a. backpack, b. flashlights, c. rope, d. hammer, e. ballpoint pen, f. carpet, g. pocket knife, h. crowbar, i. bungee cord, j. water canteen, k. wrench, l. bobby pin } 6. if caught tell police building was unlocked (avoid criminal charges) 7. if arrested only relinquish name & seek legal advice (see ch. 3) 23 2.       1. instructions 4.       24 1. collect bobby pin & ballpoint pen 2. bend bobby pin into pick, remove nubs & bend tip to 45 ˚ angle 3. remove clip (tension wrench) from pen & bend end to 90 ˚angle 3. 4. insert tension wrench & lift up 5. insert pick, push to back & wiggle around until barrel turns 5. 6. push tension wrench further until lock opens 6. how-to pick a lock { tools: a. bobby pin, b. uniball ballpoint pen } 25 2. 1. instructions 4. 1. collect oil drum, drill, stove pipe, bricks, pot lid, hinges, strap latch, cutting torch, wood 2. with cutting torch cut circular openings in side & top of drum to fit pipe & pot lid 68 3. 3. insert stove pipe 4. affix latch and hinges to pot lid 5. affix pot lid to top of drum (bend latch and hinges if necessary) 5. 6. how-to make a wood stove from an oil drum { tools: a. 55 gallon drum, b. drill, c. 6" stove pipe, d. bricks, e. pot lid, f. hinges, g. strap latch, h. cutting torch, i. wood } 6. place stove atop pad of bricks & start fire 69 materials plastic bottles = 1,040 garden canes = 80 86 exterior doors = 6 rail posts = 4 2 x 4 ’s = 10 wooden palettes = 4-5 shack assembly { tools: a. drill, b. hammer, c. rope, d. nails & screws, e. hand saw, f. pocket knife } 87 instructions 1. transparent sides should face windows to optimize daylight 2. opaque sides should face adjacent units & public spaces to optimize privacy 90 3. spaces between unit and walls are good for more personal activities (writing, painting, woodworking etc) 4. additional space around unit are good for leisure (playing, watching t.v, music) 5. this space can be combined with adjacent units to create a larger common space for leisure SPA NEW PER 6. make space as comfortable and liveable as possible this is your home after-all 7. again, make sure front door area is clear of stuff settling your shack 91 S NEW NEWSPAP PER SPA NEW potting soil 1. potting soil pott in soil g 108 P PA ER instructions 4. P NEWSPA 1. collect bucket & lid, potting soil, tomato seedling, drill, newspaper & watering can ER 3. ER ER PAP po so ttin g il ER R A PE W SP potting soil NE S NEW potting soil WS NE PER NEWSPA ER PAP p so otti il ng PER SPA NEW 2. drill 3 ” hole in bottom of bucket & many 1/2 ” holes in lid (for watering) NEWSPAPE R 3. line bottom of bucket with newspaper & cut slits in center potting soil pot soil ting 4. fill bucket with soil 5. turn bucket over and plant into hole through newspaper potting soil P PA WS 2. 6. turn over, hang and water 5. 6. how-to plant hanging tomatoes { a. bucket & lid, b. potting soil, c. tomato seedling, d. drill, e. watering can, f. newspaper } 109 2.   =  = = SALTS 1.. SALTS SALTS instructions  = = 122 SALTS SALTS 4. 1. collect tarp’s, big rocks, logs, gum, tent pegs, hammer, long net, garden hose, salts, needle & thread 2. once house is demolished clean away all debris from foundation = 3. stitch tarp’s together & gum seams 3. 4. line basement walls & floor with tarp, placing large rocks around edges 6. 5. secure tarp to ground with tent pegs, & border with 1/2 cut logs 6. fill with water, salts & clean periodically with net 5. how-to make a swimming pool in an open foundation { tools: a. tarp's, b. thread & needle, c. big rocks, d. gum, e. hammer, f. tent pegs, g. garden hose, h. 1/2 cut logs, i. long net, j. salts } 123